Texas Rep. Chet Edwards, endorsed for the Democratic vice presidential nod by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and veep-vetter cousin Patrick J. Kennedy, won't say whether he has had talks with Barack Obama's camp about the job.
"I wish I could say more," he said after referring questions about the vice presidency to the Obama campaign in a manner similar to the demurral offered by Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
"Any questions about the vice presidential process should be directed to the Obama campaign," said Edwards, a Harvard Business School graduate who is in his 9th term representing the Waco-based 17th District.
Chet Edwards: 'I wish I could say more'
Last week, Sebelius departed from past comments that she had not been
vetted by telling me "Any discussion about this process is being done
by the campaign
itself."
Coy is not Edwards' long suit, and he readily acknowledges he would take the job if asked.
"First, let me be clear: I haven't been offered the job," he said. "Secondly, I can't imagine many Americans who wouldn't consider it a privilege to serve as vice president."
When Pelosi dropped Edwards' name to reporters last month, eyebrows around Washington were raised and explanations for what she really must have intended poured forth.
While Edwards is certainly a dark horse, he could complement Obama in a number of important ways and reinforce his appeal in others.
The last time a Democratic ticket won without a southerner was 1948. Obama, a Chicagoan who touts a 50-state strategy, may want to avoid picking a running mate who also hails from a big blue city.
Edwards is one of the few experienced southern Democrats remaining in Congress, and he has turned what was once a perennially competitive district into an almost sure thing for the Democrats. Texan John Nance Garner, then the House Speaker, gave geographical and ideological balance to Franklin Roosevelt's ticket in 1932.
Edwards is chairman of the subcommittee that writes spending bills for veterans, and Obama has used veterans benefits as a campaign issue against John McCain. Edwards and Obama were both vocal advocates for expanded educational benefits for veterans.
Despite Edwards' reputation as a moderate to conservative Democrat, some allies say he is progressive. Obama clearly has an affinity for red state Democrats who show a progressive streak, and Edwards has demonstrated support for Obama. The congressman endorsed the senator well in advance of the Texas Democratic primary, in which the 17th District narrowly favored Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Veteran Texas Republican Rep. Joe L. Barton told me he hopes someone else gets the nod.
"I'd rather they not pick him because he's a pretty qualified guy," Barton said.
I'm not saying Edwards will actually end up first in line to the presidency. But keep him on your radar -- at least as long as he can't say whether he is being vetted.
Coy is not Edwards' long suit, and he readily acknowledges he would take the job if asked.
"First, let me be clear: I haven't been offered the job," he said. "Secondly, I can't imagine many Americans who wouldn't consider it a privilege to serve as vice president."
When Pelosi dropped Edwards' name to reporters last month, eyebrows around Washington were raised and explanations for what she really must have intended poured forth.
While Edwards is certainly a dark horse, he could complement Obama in a number of important ways and reinforce his appeal in others.
The last time a Democratic ticket won without a southerner was 1948. Obama, a Chicagoan who touts a 50-state strategy, may want to avoid picking a running mate who also hails from a big blue city.
Edwards is one of the few experienced southern Democrats remaining in Congress, and he has turned what was once a perennially competitive district into an almost sure thing for the Democrats. Texan John Nance Garner, then the House Speaker, gave geographical and ideological balance to Franklin Roosevelt's ticket in 1932.
Edwards is chairman of the subcommittee that writes spending bills for veterans, and Obama has used veterans benefits as a campaign issue against John McCain. Edwards and Obama were both vocal advocates for expanded educational benefits for veterans.
Despite Edwards' reputation as a moderate to conservative Democrat, some allies say he is progressive. Obama clearly has an affinity for red state Democrats who show a progressive streak, and Edwards has demonstrated support for Obama. The congressman endorsed the senator well in advance of the Texas Democratic primary, in which the 17th District narrowly favored Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Veteran Texas Republican Rep. Joe L. Barton told me he hopes someone else gets the nod.
"I'd rather they not pick him because he's a pretty qualified guy," Barton said.
I'm not saying Edwards will actually end up first in line to the presidency. But keep him on your radar -- at least as long as he can't say whether he is being vetted.
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